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NBA: 15 Young Players In Need Of A Breakout Season In 2016-17

By Gerald Bourguet

Oct 20, 2015; Madison, WI, USA; Milwaukee Bucks guard Michael Carter-Williams (5) drives to he basket against Minnesota Timberwolves guard Ricky Rubio (9) in the first quarter at Kohl Center. Mandatory Credit: Benny Sieu-USA TODAY Sports
Oct 20, 2015; Madison, WI, USA; Milwaukee Bucks guard Michael Carter-Williams (5) drives to he basket against Minnesota Timberwolves guard Ricky Rubio (9) in the first quarter at Kohl Center. Mandatory Credit: Benny Sieu-USA TODAY Sports /
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Oct 23, 2015; Lincoln, NE, USA; Chicago Bulls forward Tony Snell (20) dribbles against the Dallas Mavericks at Pinnacle Bank Arena. Chicago defeated Dallas 103-102. Mandatory Credit: Steven Branscombe-USA TODAY Sports /

7. Tony Snell

Not long ago, the Chicago Bulls front office believed that Tony Snell would develop into the 3-and-D wing they’d need to replace Mike Dunleavy at the small forward spot one day. The day of Dunleavy’s departure has come and gone, but Snell is no closer to being that solution on the wing.

Last season, Snell failed once again to take the next step forward, averaging 5.3 points and 3.1 rebounds in a career-high 20.3 minutes per game. He also shot a career-worst 37.2 percent from the field despite shooting a decent 36.1 percent from three-point range.

Even with Dunleavy injured for most of last season and Doug McDermott working to find his rhythm in his formative years, Snell failed to reach out and claim the starting small forward role as his own. McDermott appears to have a higher ceiling at this point, and the versatility of Denzel Valentine could be another threat to Snell’s minutes in 2016-17.

Although Snell and his all-encompassing wingspan earned career high minutes last season, he racked up an alarmingly high number of DNP-CDs over the final two months and could be in danger of falling out of the rotation — or Chicago in general — altogether.

This upcoming season, Snell needs to make strides towards becoming the 3-and-D wing the Bulls have been waiting for. If he’s unable to knock down perimeter looks and become more of a lockdown defender on the wing, he’s going to have a hard time paving his way to a lasting role in Chi-town…or earning a lucrative contract in restricted free agency next summer.

Next: No. 6